Posts Tagged ‘terror’

By Judith Goodall -
Sadly, numerous people refuse to travel and experience Israel. For the record, there are tons of tourists who perform return visits to Israel after experiencing successful first visits. Since Israel’s official establishment, sixty-million tourists have visited the country. Many potential tourists are concerned with terrorism in the region. 1,652 people have been victims of a terrorist attack in Israel.

What are your chances of falling prey to terrorist attacks? The odds are 0.002753%, which proves that in other countries such as the United States and other popular tourist countries, your chances are higher in falling prey to terrorists. The great country of Israel has received a bum wrap in the past with the unfortunate experience in dealing with terrorism. Israel has strict doctrines in dealing with terrorism and these doctrines are taught worldwide.

By Judith Goodall -
June 25, 2001 marks the five-year anniversary of Israel’s Gilad Shalit. The terrorist group Hamas abducted Gilad. This terrorist group utilized tunnels in launching an attack against Israeli soldiers. The attack left Staff Sergeant Pavel Slutzker and a military officer, Lieutenant Hanan Bark dead before abducting Gilad Shalit.

Gilad Shalit was only 19 years old when he was taken hostage by the terrorist group. Five long years have passed with this young man not even being allowed humanitarian aid. His continued imprisonment is a violation of the Geneva Convention and other humanitarian laws of nations worldwide. The Hamas have declined repeated attempts to provide medical treatment by the Red Cross. The Red Cross has not been allowed to visit the Israeli soldier, which is a blatant disregard of international law.

It has been reported by the New York Times that the International Committee of the Red Cross has publicly demanded that the Hamas terrorist group provide proof that Gilad is alive. The Hamas has refused to show such proof. Sadly, since October, 2009 there has been no proof offered by Hamas that the Israeli soldier is dead or alive.

Despite these sad facts, we continue to pray for the release of Gilad Shalit and that he is alive. The Jewish Council began a touching and special campaign called “What Gilad Missed”. Five years is a long time for anyone to be subjected to the horror and mistreatment of the Hamas terrorist group.

Gilad Shalit, you are not forgotten. You are not only loved and admired by family and friends, you are love and admired by all of us. You have missed so much in these five years of captivity. You have missed sunrises; rise and falls of governments and you have missed your family and the life you once enjoyed.

Let us pray that the wind of freedom blow over the region while reaching Gilad Shalit. Let us keep this son, solder and most importantly, human being in our thoughts and prayers. Let us pray that the partners of Israel rally together while continuing their unselfish actions in securing his release.